How to make Polymer Clay Beads

Polymer clay is made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and is pliable and bendable. The polymer clay does not dry out when it is exposed to air. The ceramic clay, on the other hand, dries out when it is exposed to air. Polymer clay is man-made and is easily available in art and crafts stores. From children to adults, everybody can use the polymer clay to make beaded jewelry, small clay sculptors, buttons and for decorating the picture frames and wooden boxes. Let us try to understand how to make polymer clay beads.

Advantages of Polymer Clay Beads

The polymer beads are used to make a wide variety of jewelry like bracelets, necklaces and earrings. The polymer clay with different colors can be mixed together to make beads of numerous colors. Polymer clay is used to make beads as the clay is easy to blend and is available in an array of colors. The polymer beads are popular because baking the polymer beads is done at a very low temperature. Baking the beads does not change their color. Also, polymer beads require less efforts and they resemble the classy glass beads or the elegant stones beads. You can blend a variety of colors in the polymer clay to make different shades of colors. You can blend two or more colors to give it a different finishing like that of cane work. You can be innovative and use your imagination.

Things Required

• Polymer clay
• Oven
• A needle to poke the beads
• Paint for giving finishing touches

Making Polymer Clay Beads

Step 1: The first step is to decide the shape and size of the beads. The common shapes are stars, circles, rectangles, swirls, miniatures of animal shapes fruits and flowers. Blending different colors can add magnificent faux effects include ivory, turquoise and marble. It is always good to use a scale to measure the size of your beads, if you are making polymer beads of the same size and shape.

Step 2: The next step is to craft the beads according to the color and shape that you have decided. Knead the polymer clay to form unusual and unique shapes.

Step 3: Once the beads are crafted in the desired shape, all the beads are poked using a needle or skewer. It is advisable to place the polymer beads on the oven-safe parchment paper and then place them on the cookie tray.

Step 4: The next step is to preheat the oven to 275 degree Fahrenheit for 25 min. The temperature and time of baking is usually specified on the polymer clay package. The oven used for making the beads should not be used for baking food items. When children are making the beads, adults should help them to bake the beads. The polymer beads must be cooled before they are handled.

Step 5: The polymer clay beads are painted with different colors using water colors or acrylic paints. While you are painting the beads, use a wash of translucent color and then start painting the beads with a darker shade to highlight the beads.

Polymer clay beads are colorful, unique and less expensive for use in jewelry or to decorate boxes and frames. They are a good choice for people who want to make funky jewelry at home. So, these were some basic guidelines on how to make polymer clay beads.